Chapter 20

Bloomie

@bloomie

Part 20

[NOCOPY]

Suryakant: jitna amount bharna hai bharo aur is shehar se aur mere bete ki zindgi se humesha ke liye dafa ho jao!!!

She froze………………………

He removed a pen and forwarded it to her.

Riya: ye…ye aap kya keh rahe hai?

Suryakant glares at her: naatak band karo Lailla aur mere bete ka peecha chod do!

Riya: main Arjun se pyaar karti hu

With rage flowing through his veins, he slaps her making her fall on the bed. Before she recovers, he grabs her hair. She yelps in pain.

Suryakant: Teri Jaisi Auratein Pyaar Karne Ke Liye Nahi, (he tugs further making her wince) BISTAR GARAM KARNE KE LIYE HOTI HAI! (Tears flew out of her eyes as he jerks her head away) Shukar Mana Ki Paise De Raha Hun!! (Riya cowers in fright) Aur Ek Baat Kaan Kholkar Sun Le!! Agar Tu Kal Sagayi Mein Pahunchi…Toh Main Tera Woh Haal Karunga Ki Tu Soch Bhi Nahi Sakti!

Picking up the cheque that had fallen down, he threw it at her.

Suryakant: Ise Bharo Aur Dafa Ho Jao Humesha Ke Liye! Dur Reh Mere Bete Se!!

He stormed out banging the door shut behind him. A solid 10 minutes later, Riya was able to move. Rubbing her hands and face, she forced herself to sit on the bed. Her brain fired at a rapid rate. Her throat dries up. Vivid images flash through her eyes.

Flashback

She was huddled up against a wall in a lavish 7 star hotel room. With nothing but a blanket to cover herself, she was crying uncontrollably with her head to her knees. Those men had captured her from near her college 3 days before. Life had been the deepest circle of hell for her after that.

Her body was aching. It was covered with bruises and bite marks. She felt like she had no strength left. Yet, she was unable to stop her tears. They were drawing out the energy that she didn’t even have anymore.

The door opened. Her ears immediately caught the sound. She gasped and looked up. A drunk man staggered inside. Her muscles clenched in fright. The mere thought of going through it all over again petrified her.

Suryakant closed the door and placed the whiskey bottle on the table. He had anger in his veins. It was the 6th consecutive deal that the company had lost. He was in loss. His family was unaware. The employees were threatening a strike. On top of all of this, his elder 17 year old had firmly decided to join the police force instead of taking over the business in future.

Riya shivered under his gaze. She waited with bated breath. He came to her, as if entranced by her beauty. He caressed her face. She stiffened and sobbed, trying to pull herself away but the wall didn’t let her. She whimpered and tried to push him away. His lips came on her body.

Riya prayed: please mujhe chod do

He paid no heed. Suryakant attempted to pull off her blanket.

She clutched it tightly: jaane do…please…mat karo….please…mujhe ghar jaana hai…

Angry at the rejection, he slaps her. Throwing the blanket away, he drags her to the bed. She begged and screamed. Her arms and legs flailed in an effort to free herself. He unleashed all his frustration and anger, violently abusing her. She screamed and begged only to be engulfed into the dark night.

Flashback Ends

Unholy feelings crawled along her skin. Riya hugged herself. She felt like screaming but her voice was gone. She whimpered into her knees trying to control her mind. It did not obey her. The flashes kept repeating themselves. She started feeling disgusted with herself again.

Instantly, she stood up and left the room. She hurried across the corridor and knocked on the door of the room. It belonged to the counselling psychologist of the NGO, Niharika Patel. A lady in her early thirties opened the door.

She is surprised to see Riya there. She could easily understand that she was undergoing high distress.

Riya: sorry tumhe disturb kiya, but I really need to talk.

She nodded and gestured to come inside. Riya sat on the bed. Niharika pulled a chair in front.

Niharika: kaho, kis baare mein baat karni hai

She ran a hand through her hair and gulped in nervousness. Niharika waited for her to speak.

Riya: mujhe…mujhe flashbacks aa rahe hai, control nahi kar paa rahi

Niharika: hm, flashbacks? You don’t usually get them, in fact jab tum yaha pehle aayi thi tab bhi nahi the, pehli baar haina?

Riya nodded negatively: kidnap hui tab shuru mein aate the kuch mahino tak, bas.

Niharika: kis cheez ke flashbacks aa rahe hai?

Riya: wahi…woh shuru ke din

She waited a few seconds for her to elaborate but she didn’t.

Niharika: kya wajah ho sakti hai, koi idea hai? maybe tumne kisi ko dekha ho apne past se, ya kisi specific cheez ki wajah se yaad aaya?

Her gaze faltered: pata nahi

She understands Riya is hiding something. Contemplating over what could have happened, she questioned further.

Niharika: acha, tumhari shaadi tay ho gayi na Arjun ke saath? Congratulations!

Riya wonders why she suddenly changed the topic: uh…ha, thank you

Niharika: Can I ask you something a little personal? (she nods in confusion) kya tum aur Arjun physically kareeb aaye ho?

Riya(softly): uh…woh…ha…thoda

Niharika: toh kya aisa ho sakta hai ki us wajah se tumhe apna past yaad aaya ho?

Riya is alarmed: Nahi!! aisa nahi hai

Niharika: what makes you so sure?

Riya: kyunki…kyunki mujhe(lowering her gaze) mujhe pata hai ki aisa kya hua

She waited for her to continue. Riya sighed deeply. She rubbed her eyes. Her body relaxed a little. The past few years flashed before her starting right from the time that she met Arjun for the first time.

Riya teared up: I don’t want to work through all of it again, I just…mujhe reality pata hai. main jaanti hu ki…ab meri life par mera control hai, mujhe bas apne man ko shant karna hai, I want to be able to think clearly, I know what is there and what is not…it’s just, (she forced words out of her mouth) maine expect nahi kiya tha aur main is baat ko handle nahi kar paa rahi hun

Niharika: jab tumhe reality pata hai then why are you afraid of it?

Her words hit home. Riya fell silent, thinking over what she said. Her mind and body relaxed. She took a deep breath and nodded.

Riya: you’re right, (standing up) thank you!

Niharika smiles: anytime! Anything else I can help you with?

Riya refuses: nahi bas yahi…good night!

Niharika: good night Riya

She thanks her again and goes to her room. Riya collapses on the bed. She felt exhausted. The day had been a rollercoaster. She closes her eyes and tries to sleep.

The Next Morning-

Rawte Mansion was abuzz with activity. Shweta was continuously instructing the servants to get things ready. Arjun was getting ready while getting irritated by Sameer and Armaan’s interference. He badly wanted to call Riya but the two idiots had gotten hold of his phone.

Arjun: tum dono ke paas aur koi kaam nahi hai?

Sameer: nahi

Arjun rolled his eyes: phone doge ab mujhe mera?

Armaan: nahi toh…aap bhabhi ko disturb mat kijiye, unhe ache se taiyaar hone dijiye

Sameer: aur nahi toh kya, din bhar toh uske saath phone par chipka hua rehta hai, thodi der shaanti de use

Arjun: shut up! Main koi phone par chipka hua nahi hota hu aur…

Shweta entered: Arjun tum taiyaar hue ya nahi?

Arjun: ho gaya maa

She smiled seeing him in the traditional attire. Shweta adjusted the dupatta of his sherwani.

She tears up: mujhe toh lag raha tha ki shayad main ye din kabhi nahi dekh paungi

Arjun: come on maa, aap toh aise senti ho rahi hai jaise mein dulhan ki tarah vida hokar jaa raha hun

Sameer and Armaan laughed.

Shweta: chup! draamebaaz

Armaan: aur koi mujhe draamebaaz keh raha tha

Arjun: tu chup kar! (turning to his mother) maa, Riya aa gayi?

Sameer: are itni bhi kya jaldi hai? ladkiyaan gayi hai use saath laane ke liye, aa jaayegi, itna utavla kyun ho raha hai?

Armaan: ha bhai, pakka gadbad…

Arjun launches at him: Armaan!!!

Armaan runs off laughing with Arjun following him leaving the other two in splits.

Around half hour later, the Rawte family along with Shree and Chotu were gathered in the hall for the ceremony. The Pandit too had arrived Arjun was getting restless.

Arjun: Sam call toh karne de, late ho raha hai

Sameer: are baba aa jaayegi teri Riya

Suryakant smirked mentally mv “Lailla is ghar mein dobara kabhi nahi aayegi”

Arjun was about to scold him when the doorbell rang. Armaan jumped up before anyone else to open it. The four girls came in giggling at their jokes.

Armaan: kya bhabhi kitna time laga diya? bhai aapko kitna miss kar rahe hai

Suryakant’s eyes widen. His jaw clenches at her sight. He balls his fist to control himself.

Riya blushed. She subtly glanced at him. Arjun’s gaze was fixed on her. The floral lehenga looked gorgeous on her. She was wearing jewellery made of fresh orchids twined together with mogra buds and roses. Time stopped for him. The tint on her cheeks grew stronger.

Sameer coughed loudly bringing them out of their trance. Arjun glares at him. Shweta went forward and welcomed her.

Shweta(making her sit): bahot khubsurat lag rahi ho, nazar na lage kisi ki

Arjun: Riya? Savita Tai?

Ayesha: woh sir darasal hum jab nikal rahe the tab police aa gayi toh unhe waha rukna pada

Arjun: oh

Sameer: Ayesha ye tumne kya kiya?

Ayesha(confused): matlab?

Sameer: are bichare Arjun sir, kabse Tadap rahe hai Riya ki awaaz sunne ke liye, use jawab dene do

Arjun glares at him while Riya blushes making everyone laugh….well, except Suryakant.

Ayesha: sorry sir, galti ho gayi

Arjun: shut up Ayesha!! Go to your record room!

Sameer: Rawte!!!

Ayesha’s jaw fell to the floor.

Arjun smirked much to the confusion of others.

Pandit: vidhi sampan kar lete hai, shubh muhurat hai

Shweta: ji Pandit ji

She gestured Arjun near. The couple stood facing each other. Suryakant’s brain was firing. He had no intentions whatsoever of letting that woman enter his son’s life. His eyes burned with rage as the mantras were read out and traditional rituals followed. The rings exchanged and applause filled the atmosphere.

Here, Arjun and Riya are both on cloud nine. They were finally, officially engaged. Shree turned DJ as the team celebrated with joyous dancing. Armaan joined in instantly. Arjun’s hand wraps around Riya as they watch them happily.

Shweta pays the pandit after which he leaves and stands near Suryakant watching the pomp and splendour.

Riya speaks into Arjun’s ear due to the noise: main paani pee kar aati hun

He nods and points towards the platform at the end of the hall which had a water jug. She smiles and goes towards the end. Taking the opportunity, Suryakant tries to slip away as well.

Shweta: Surya kaha jaa rahe ho?

Suryakant: aaya

He left before she could ask anything else.

On the other hand, Riya pours herself a glass of water. As she drinks, Suryakant enters her peripheral vision

Suryakant gritted his teeth: maine tumse kaha tha ki mere bete se dur raho!

Riya keeps the glass down: maine bhi aapse kaha tha, main Arjun se pyaar karti hun

Suryakant gritted his teeth. She attempts to go back but he grabs hold of her hand.

Riya: aap kya…

She is pushed against the wall making her scream………………..